Stars of television shows The Pitt, The White Lotus, The Studio and Hacks strutted on the red carpet on Sunday for Hollywood’s Emmy Awards, where the absurdist workplace tale Severance from Apple TV+ leads the nominations.
Severance, the favourite for the night’s top award of best drama, centres around corporate employees who undergo a surgery that separates their work and personal memories. Stars Adam Scott and Britt Lower are nominated for lead acting honours.
But The Studio star Seth Rogen was the first to take home gold, earning his first Emmy after nine career nominations. Despite the show being a favourite for one of the night’s biggest awards — best comedy series — Rogen was grateful and flustered in his acceptance speech. The Canadian comedian stated he’d “never won anything in [his] life” and hadn’t even prepared a speech.
“I don’t know what to say, this is so nice!” he said.
The next to win was Jean Smart. She took home best actress in a comedy series for her role in Hacks. It was Smart’s seventh win in her career, and fourth for this particular role. Next was Katherine LaNasa’s first career win, taking home best supporting actress for her role in The Pitt.
Though next, Severance finally got on the board as Tramell Tillman took home best supporting actor in a drama.
The awards came after host Nate Bargatze recreated a popular skit from his time on Saturday Night Live, in which he gave a rousing speech about the importance of the Emmys, before clarifying questions from fellow comedians brought the pitch back down to earth.
“What is streaming, sir?” one of his co-stars facetiously asked when he introduced the concept, playing the inventor of television.
“A new kind of way for studios to lose money,” was the answer.
Another jab was aimed at the Emmys itself.
“Winning one will be very prestigious,” he said.
“Ah, like an Oscar!” was the response — to an awkward silence followed by audience laughter.
Lead actor in a comedy series
Seth Rogen, The Studio — WINNER
Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This
Jason Segel, Shrinking
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Lead actress in a comedy series
Jean Smart, Hacks — WINNER
Uzo Aduba, The Residence
Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Drama supporting actress
Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt — WINNER
Patricia Arquette, Severance
Carrie Coon, The White Lotus
Julianne Nicholson, Paradise
Parker Posey, The White Lotus
Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus
Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus
Drama supporting actor
Tramell Tillman, Severance — WINNER
Zach Cherry, Severance
Walton Goggins, The White Lotus
Jason Isaacs, The White Lotus
James Marsden, Paradise
Sam Rockwell, The White Lotus
John Turturro, Severance
